Category: Uncategorized
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The Hidden Cost of Disaster Relief: How Disasters Strain Local Economies
When disaster strikes—be it a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or tornado—the physical damage is obvious: homes reduced to rubble, businesses shuttered, and entire communities uprooted. But beyond the wreckage lies an often-overlooked reality: the lasting financial toll on local economies, especially in underserved or rural areas. Disaster relief isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about economic resilience, and…
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From Idle to Impactful: How Foundations Can Put Their Cash to Work for Good
Across the United States, foundations play a pivotal role in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Yet, while their grantmaking programs drive meaningful change, a powerful opportunity often sits unnoticed on the sidelines: idle cash reserves. These funds, typically held in low-yield money market accounts or traditional banks, are crucial for liquidity and operational needs—but they…
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CNote CEO Cat Berman Wins Treasury Today’s Leading Light Award
May 8, 2025 – CNote, a financial technology platform focused on community investment, is proud to announce that its Co-Founder and CEO, Cat Berman, has been named the 2025 Leading Light Award winner by Treasury Today’s Women in Treasury Awards. The Leading Light Award is one of Treasury Today’s most prestigious honors, celebrating individuals who…
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Celebrating Our Journey: A Year of Innovation & Inspiration
This week marks another birthday for CNote—and with it, a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, the momentum we’ve built, and where we’re heading next. From an early vision of financial innovation for good, CNote has grown into a trusted platform for values-aligned investing—serving institutional and individual clients, expanding our suite of products,…
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Are Corporations Leaving Money on the Table by Overlooking Community Banks?
In today’s economic climate, uncertainty is a given. Interest rates are fluctuating, markets are shifting, and corporate finance teams are being asked to do more with less—while still preserving capital, ensuring liquidity, and managing risk. In times like these, the way companies manage their cash matters more than ever. Many corporations are reevaluating their treasury…
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Why Geography Matters: Rethinking Where You Bank
When most people think about where to keep their money, they focus on interest rates, digital convenience, or brand familiarity. Rarely do we consider geography — the physical location of a bank or credit union — as an important factor in that decision. But geography plays a surprisingly powerful role in how your money is…
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florrent and CNote: A Mission-Driven Partnership for Impactful Treasury Management
florrent is a minority-led, Massachusetts-based startup pioneering high-performance energy storage solutions. Their next-generation supercapacitors provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional power quality and reliability technologies, ensuring firm power at every level of the grid. More than an energy innovator, florrent is committed to reshaping the clean energy economy to benefit all communities, building…
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Where Your Money Actually Goes: The Hidden Power of Depositing in Community Banks
When you place funds in a bank, what happens next? Most people assume their money just sits there until they need it. But in reality, every deposit has the potential to power businesses, support families, and strengthen local economies—if it’s placed in the right hands. Community banks and credit unions are leading the way when…
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How Long Does It Take for a Community to Recover After a Natural Disaster? The Answer May Surprise You
It can take years—sometimes even decades—for a community to fully recover after a natural disaster. While emergency aid and media attention often fade within weeks, research shows that long-term recovery efforts typically span six to ten years, with some communities still struggling decades later (Urban). The timeline depends on the severity of the disaster, the…
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Why Values-Based Cash Management Matters
In today’s business environment, cash management is not just about maximizing returns and maintaining liquidity—it’s also about aligning financial strategies with organizational values. Values-based cash management is gaining momentum as more organizations realize the significant impact their financial decisions can have on the communities they serve. At the forefront of this movement are community banks…